Chester-based registered mental health charity Platform For Life has just launched their ‘181 Emergency Christmas Campaign’ to ask for support in raising £125,000 to improve the lives of more than 900 people impacted by mental health issues.

On 19th December 2024, it will be 181 years since the publication of Charles Dickens’ classic story Christmas Carol. Yet in all this time, it seems that little has changed in terms of human suffering, or the level of support available to make a positive, sustainable difference.

Platform For Life has been providing free mental health support including counselling, art therapy and play therapy, as well as a Family Support Worker service to children, young people and adults within Chester communities since 2017.

The aim of the support is to strengthen families, reduce the generational cycle of mental health issues, and through early intervention, stop mental health issues developing into debilitating life-long illness.

Platform For Life CEO Philippa Davies says,

“Since the pandemic, and with the cost-of-living crisis, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of children, young people and adults across the UK struggling with mental health issues. Everywhere families are struggling to cope, sitting on waiting lists, or simply being told they are not eligible for support. Public services are stretched to their limits. Schools are finding it almost impossible to manage the number and increased complexity of the issues experienced by pupils and students. The level of poverty has increased, and isolation of individuals within our communities has grown. Platform For Life has been doing everything possible to respond to the increased need. However, as a non-commissioned service it faces rising costs and dwindling opportunities to raise much needed funds. The service has been described as ‘vital, life-changing and life-saving’ by schools and ‘essential’ by the communities it serves. It now faces its own challenges and has reached out for support.”

Philippa adds, “All charities are currently going through a difficult period, due to the current economic climate, but at the same time the level of human struggles we see every day drives us to overcome the challenges we face. “But as well as determination, we need more help now to cover the cost of the crucial services we are delivering. Christmas Past has gone, and Christmas present provides imminent challenges for the families we need to support. We need to make sure that we are still here and able to provide the support needed, to make the difference for our Chester families for not just this Christmas, but future Christmases, and every day in between.”

• “I’m not sure how to thank someone who has saved my life because thank you isn’t really enough. My children still have their mum and that is something I will forever be grateful for.” Mum supported by Platform For Life
• “I don’t think my daughter would have been here for her 18th birthday if it wasn’t for you.” Parent of a young person supported by Platform For Life
• “You helped me have a better life.” Child supported by Platform For Life

If you can help Platform For Life visit https://platformforlife.org.uk/donate/